4 Nights / 5 Days
Gangtok, Changu Lake & Darjeeling
Gangtok · Changu Lake · Baba Mandir · Darjeeling · Tiger Hill
Ideal for: First-time visitors who want both Sikkim and Darjeeling
East Sikkim
Gangtok, Tsomgo Lake & Nathula Pass Tour
- 4 Nights / 5 Days
- Starts & ends: Bagdogra / NJP / Siliguri
- Private tour
Tour overview
Sikkim's classic first trip: Gangtok's monasteries and viewpoints, a high-altitude day to the glacial Tsomgo Lake and the Nathula border pass, and an easy evening on MG Marg.
This is the itinerary most travellers start with, and for good reason. Gangtok sits at about 1,650 m, which gives your body a comfortable first night before you head up to Tsomgo Lake (about 3,750 m) and, for Indian nationals, the Nathula Pass on the India–China border (about 4,310 m).
We keep the days unhurried. Hill roads are slow, permits run on fixed schedules and weather can change by the hour, so we build in buffer time rather than squeezing in more stops than you can enjoy.
Ideal for: First-time visitors, families and short holidays. Places covered: Gangtok, Tsomgo Lake, Baba Mandir, Nathula Pass, Rumtek, MG Marg.
Highlights
- Glacial Tsomgo (Changu) Lake, frozen in mid-winter and ringed by rhododendrons in spring
- Nathula Pass at roughly 14,140 ft – one of the highest motorable border passes open to visitors (Indian nationals only)
- Baba Harbhajan Singh Mandir, the soldiers' shrine on the Nathula road
- Rumtek Monastery, Enchey Monastery and Do Drul Chorten
- Sunrise or sunset views of the Kanchenjunga range from Tashi or Ganesh Tok viewpoints (on clear days)
- Evening walk on MG Marg – Gangtok's car-free, litter-free promenade
Day-by-day itinerary
Distances, drive times and altitudes are approximate and vary with road and weather conditions. Points marked optional are extra.
Day1
Arrive at Bagdogra / NJP and drive to Gangtok
≈ 120–125 km · 4–5 hrs · Gangtok ≈ 1,650 m
Your driver meets you at Bagdogra Airport, NJP Railway Station or your Siliguri hotel. The road follows the Teesta river through Sevoke, Melli and Rangpo, where Sikkim begins. Check in, rest, and stroll MG Marg in the evening.
Day2
Tsomgo Lake, Baba Mandir & Nathula Pass
≈ 40–56 km each way · full day · up to ≈ 4,310 m
An early start in a Sikkim-registered vehicle with your permit. Visit Tsomgo Lake, then continue to Nathula Pass (if your permit is approved and the pass is open) and Baba Mandir. Return to Gangtok by late afternoon. Carry warm layers even in summer.
Day3
Gangtok sightseeing
Local · 6–7 hrs
A relaxed day covering Rumtek Monastery, Enchey Monastery, Do Drul Chorten, the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, Banjhakri Falls and a viewpoint such as Tashi View Point or Ganesh Tok. The Gangtok ropeway is optional.
Day4
Day trip: Ravangla & Namchi (optional) or free day
≈ 65–80 km each way · 7–8 hrs
Visit the Buddha Park at Ravangla and Namchi's Char Dham or Samdruptse, or keep the day free for cafés, shopping and rest. We can also swap this day for a Zuluk Silk Route excursion on request (permit required).
Day5
Gangtok to Bagdogra / NJP
≈ 120–125 km · 4–5 hrs
Check out after breakfast and drive back down to the plains. We plan the departure time around your flight or train, keeping a buffer for traffic on NH10.
What's included
- Private vehicle with an experienced hill driver for the full itinerary
- Pickup and drop at Bagdogra Airport (IXB), NJP Railway Station or your Siliguri hotel
- Fuel, driver allowance, tolls and parking on the planned route
- Arranging protected-area permits through registered channels (where the route needs them)
- Hotel booking assistance in your preferred category (budget, standard or premium)
- Trip support on call and WhatsApp before and during your tour
Not included
- Hotel tariff and meals (quoted separately according to the hotels you choose)
- Government permit fees, entry tickets, ropeway, camera and activity charges
- Flights, train tickets and travel insurance
- Extra sightseeing or detours outside the agreed itinerary
- Costs caused by landslides, road closures, weather or permit cancellations (extra nights, re-routing)
- Personal expenses: tips, laundry, porterage, shopping
Inclusions are our standard format. Your final quote lists exactly what is and isn't included.
Permits & important notes
- Tsomgo Lake and Nathula need protected-area permits, applied for through a registered agency with ID copies and passport-size photos. We handle the paperwork once you confirm.
- Nathula is open only to Indian nationals and usually closes on certain weekdays and in bad weather. Foreign nationals can visit Tsomgo Lake with a Protected Area Permit but not Nathula.
- Rules change. We confirm the current permit days and document list when you book.
Best time for this tour
October–May for the clearest views; December–March for snow at Tsomgo and Nathula (some days roads close); June–September is monsoon, with lush scenery but a higher chance of landslide delays.
Read before you go
Request a quote for this tour
Takes under a minute. We reply by phone or WhatsApp with a plan and price – or chat with us on WhatsApp right away.
Gangtok, Tsomgo & Nathula: FAQs
Can foreign nationals do this tour?
Yes, with changes. Foreign nationals need a Restricted Area Permit to enter Sikkim and a Protected Area Permit for Tsomgo Lake. Nathula Pass is not open to foreign nationals, so we replace it with another excursion.
Is Nathula Pass open every day?
No. It is generally closed on a couple of weekdays and whenever snow or security conditions require it. Daily permit numbers are also limited. We tell you the current schedule when you book and plan the Tsomgo day around it.
What documents do I need for the Tsomgo and Nathula permit?
Usually a photo ID (Aadhaar, voter ID, passport or driving licence, as specified at the time) and passport-size photographs for every traveller, including children. We send you the exact list when you confirm.
Is the Nathula trip safe for children and senior citizens?
Most families do it comfortably, but altitude affects people differently. Anyone with heart or breathing conditions should consult a doctor first. Spend minimal time at the top, stay warm and hydrated, and tell your driver if anyone feels unwell.
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Tell us your dates. We'll plan the rest.
Share your travel dates, group size and where you are arriving. We'll suggest a route, the right vehicle and a clear quote — no obligation.